Two firefighters injured, two families homeless following Kingston blaze

Saturday

Dec 29, 2012 at 7:10 PMDec 29, 2012 at 7:12 PM

By Michael Novinson

KINGSTON — Two firefighters are injured and two families are homeless after a four-alarm blaze ripped through a Midtown home Saturday.

City fire chief John Reinhardt said two of his firefighters got trapped on the second floor of 78 Franklin St. while sweeping the building. The firefighters climbed out a window, but slipped on the snowy and icy roof and fell to the ground.

One firefighters broke his arm, Reinhardt said, while the other experienced chest pain.

Both are being treated for the non-life threatening injuries at Kingston Hospital. The department isn’t releasing the name of the injured firefighters at this time, Reinhardt said.

The fire likely started in the basement at 4:30 p.m. and extended to the second floor.

The house had heat, smoke and water damage and will require extensive repairs, Reinhardt said. It will likely not have to be demolished, though.

Both families plan to stay with relatives in the area, Reinhardt said.

Extensive debris made it difficult for to extinguish the flames, Reinhardt said, and firefighters will likely be at the home for much of the night putting out hot spots.